Plantain

Plantains may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

Plantains originated in the tropics of Asia, where colonizers took the fruit to Africa and later to the Americas, where it flourishes today. Around the world, the fruit is used to make breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert. In Ghana, plantains are marinated in savory spices to make kelewele; in Cuba, fufu features boiled and mashed plantains mixed with sofrito; in Nicaragua, fried plantains show up with stewed meats, rice, and beans on heaping plates called frittanga; and in the Philippines, plantains are battered and fried to make sweet fritters called maruya.

Yes. Plantains offer carbohydrates, fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6, C, and K. Together, these nutrients help provide energy to fuel baby’s movement and exploration, support the baby’s gut microbiome, and keep baby hydrated. They also help to support electrolyte balance, metabolic processes, skin health, iron absorption, immune function, and blood clotting. 

★ Tip: Store plantains at room temperature to ripen. Once they are black, transfer the fruit to the fridge to extend the shelf life. Once peeled, they can be frozen for up to a month.

No. Plantains are not a common allergen, although individuals with ragweed allergy, latex allergy, or oral allergy syndrome (also called pollen food allergy syndrome) may be sensitive to plantains and bananas. Oral allergy syndrome typically presents as a mild and temporary itching in the mouth, which usually resolves on its own. However, oral allergy symptoms tend not to be a problem when the plantain is cooked before serving. People who are allergic to bananas may also be allergic to plantains as the fruits are part of the same plant family.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity on its own for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

They can be. While plantains can be soft and mashable, other preparations like fried plantains and tostones can be firm and challenging to chew, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve plantains in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Knowledge and practice with rescue maneuvers. Parents and caregivers who watch the choking and rescue videos in our Starting Solids bundle often share how confident they feel. 

When first getting started, offer a small amount and trust that baby knows how to show interest in wanting more by grunting, pointing, or reaching out. Keep in mind that most babies between 6 and 9 months of age do not consume much solid food at first. For babies between 10 and 12 months of age, work toward what a balanced adult meal would look like, just with smaller portions than what you might have. Follow the child’s lead: when baby indicates “more”, offer more food. When baby shows signs that they are finished, stop offering food.